5G NR User Equipment Resource Allocation via Offset

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in determining the location of frequency domain resources within a bandwidth part without knowing the system bandwidth, which is necessary for resource allocation in LTE but not applicable in 5G due to the unknown system bandwidth size.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a first location of a frequency domain resource and using an offset value and direction to calculate a second location within the bandwidth part, allowing resource allocation without relying on the system bandwidth size, enabling UE to allocate resources even when it does not learn the system bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If resource allocation depends on system bandwidth value (LTE approach), then resource allocation is straightforward and reliable, but user equipment cannot allocate resources when system bandwidth is unknown (5G NR scenario)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to unknown system bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reference parameter from system bandwidth value to synchronization signal block location. By using offset values relative to the SS block frequency location, the system enables resource allocation without requiring UE to know the total system bandwidth, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable allocation and adaptability to unknown bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary reference point (synchronization signal block location) that mediates between the known information (SS block position) and the unknown information (system bandwidth). This intermediary enables resource allocation by providing a reference from which resource locations can be determined without knowing the total bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment determines resource location without knowing system bandwidth, then adaptability to 5G NR is improved, but the complexity of resource allocation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to 5G NR unknown bandwidth scenarioVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the allocation process by changing from absolute bandwidth-based indexing to relative offset-based indexing from SS block. This parameter change reduces complexity by eliminating the need for UE to determine system bandwidth while maintaining clear resource location determination through predefined offset relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If offset values are used to determine bandwidth part locations, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but the precision of resource location determination may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidfrequency domain resource location precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains precision by using offset values expressed in resource block units relative to the SS block location. This approach provides both flexibility (offsets can be configured dynamically) and precision (resource block-level accuracy is maintained), resolving the contradiction between flexibility and precision in resource location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3611983B1Resource allocation method, user equipment and network device
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3611983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a resource allocation method, user equipment, and a network device. The method includes: determining a first location of a first frequency domain resource; determining a second location of at least one bandwidth part based on the first location and an offset between the first location and the second location; determining the at least one bandwidth part based on the second location of the at least one bandwidth part and a bandwidth size of the at least one bandwidth part; and transmitting at least one of physical signal information and physical channel information in a first bandwidth part, where the first bandwidth part includes one or more bandwidth parts in the at least one bandwidth part. In embodiments of this application, the user equipment can determine a location of a frequency domain resource without depending on a system bandwidth size, that is, UE can allocate resources even if the UE does not know a system bandwidth.